Tobacco foils having improved wet strength



United States Patent I 3,542,035 [72] Inventor Wolfgang Dierlchs 5 References cu 21 A l N 2 "m" UNITED STATES PATENTS fi, i968 3,042,552 7/1962 Rosenberg etal. 131/17 [45] Patented Nov 231970 3,119,812 1/1964 Rogovinetal..... 260 209 [73] Assign uenimlaciecmbn 3,244,695 4 1966 Schweiger..... 260/209 Holmium g 3,353,541 11/1967 Hind 6:61. 131 17 or nflsnomemym 3,364,935 1 1968- Moshyetal. 131 140 [32] mom Juneg1967 y 3,421,519 1/1969 Moshyetal. 131/17 [33] y Germny 3,480,018 11 1969 Fairchild 131/17 [31] No.1l6292l Primary Examiner-Melvin D. Rein [54] TOBACCO FOILS HAVING lNlPROvED WET STRENGTH 7 Claims, No Drawings [52] [1.8. CI. 131/15, l3l/l7, 131/140 [51] Int. Cl. A24b 03/14 [50] Field of Search 137/140- 'iZli'RXiii/ 46L144, 15, 17

Attorneyl-lammond & Littell ABSTRACT: This invention relates to a tobacco foil having improved wet strength comprising a dried aqueous mixture of tobacco powder and a water-soluble, film-forming agent, a portion of said water-soluble, film-forming agent consisting of a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble xanthan-gum and water-soluble derivatives of xanthangum in admixture with a water soluble cellulose ether.

The tobacco foils, obtained according to the process of the invention, are distinguished by a considerably improved wet strength. This wet strength in dry condition is equal or superior to that of the known foils. The foils, prepared according to the process of the invention, can be used as tobacco wrappers for cigars, cigarillos or small cigars, because they do not impair the taste of the tobacco, but effect a favorable influence on the burning of the tobacco goods.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention without, however, being limitative in any respect.

EXAMPLES I 3 One hundred gram of tobacco powder were introduced into 160 g. of water and g. of ethylene glycol. The mixture was then thoroughly kneaded by hand.

In another container, while stirring, 20 g. of binding agents were introduced into 600 g. of water, and the mixture was allowed to stand until it had completely swelled (l2 hours). Thereafter, while stirring, 8 g. of a 30 percent aqueous glyoxal solution were added. The binding agent consisted of a mixture of methylcellulose 1,000 CP in 2 percent aqueous solution at 20C., according to Hoeppler) and xanthan-gum (4,000 CP in 2 percent aqueous solution at 20C., according to Hoeppler). The binding agents for each example had the following quantitative compositions: (l) 18 g. of methylcellulose and 2 g. of xanthan-gum; (2) 16 g. of methylcellulose and 4 g. of xanthangum; (3) 12 g. of methylcellulose and 8 g. of xanthan-gum.

In a kneading apparatus used in laboratories, the mixtures, described above and consisting of tobacco powder and the binding agents, were admixed, and, by an addition of citric acid, adjusted to pH 5.6. The batches thus obtained were processed with the aid of a scraper to obtain a thin foil. At a temperature of 100C. and under air circulation, this foil was dried to a foil sheet of 120p. thickness with a moisture content of percent.

For the purpose of testing the wet strength, the foils of 100 X 15 mm. were subjected to a weight load of 200 mg. and suspended to a depth of 50 mm. in water, adjusted to a pH 7 at C. The time, at which the tearing of the foils occurred, was measured as follows:

Example 1, binder 16 minutes. Example 2, binder 220 minutes. Example 3, binder 325 minutes.

EXAMPLES 49 One hundred gram of tobacco powder were introduced into a mixture of 160 g. of water and 5 g. of ethylene glycol, and this mixture was thoroughly kneaded by hand.

While stirring, 60 g. of water and 20 g. of a binder were introduced into a second container and the mixture was allowed to stand until it was completely swelled (l2 hours).Thereafter, under continued stirring, 8 g. of a 30 percent aqueous glyoxal solution were added. The binding agent consisted of a mixture of methylcellulose (1,000 CP in 2 percent aqueous solution at 20C., according to Hoeppler), and of deacetylated xanthan-gum.

The composition of the binding agents is given in the following table. The first columns indicate the consecutive number of the examples and the amounts of methylcellulose and deacetylated xanthan-gum utilized; the following columns indicate the wet strength and the dry strength measured on the tobacco foils. The working up into foils and determination of the wet strength was effected in the same manner as described in the preceding examples. The dry strength was determined by means of 10 different samples, each on a conventional tensite-testing apparatus.

TABLE I Methyl- De-acetylated Wet Dry cellulose, xanthan-gum, strength strength Example g. g. at pH 7 kpJmm:

18 2 27 minutes 0. 330 16 4 mlnutes 0. 330 12 8 minutes. 0. 270 10 10 6 days 0. 245 4 16 8 days 0. 230 0 20 10 days... 0. 250

COMPARISON TEST The examples previously described were repeated, however, only the methylcellulose without an addition of xanthangum or its derivatives were used as binding agent.

In the same manner as formerly described, the wet strength was measured. -The tearing of the foils occurred already after 40 seconds.

This demonstrates the unexpected effect of the presence of water-soluble xanthan-gum or its derivatives in the preparation of tobacco foils from tobacco powder.

The preceding specific embodiments are illustrative of the practice of the invention. it is to be understood, however, that other expedients known to those skilled in the art or disclosed herein may be utilized without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. A tobacco foil having improved wet strength comprising a dried aqueous mixture of tobacco powder and a water-soluble, film-forming agent in a ratio of from 10 to 30 parts of said water-soluble, film-forming agent to 100 parts of tobacco powder, of said water-soluble, film-forming agent consisting of a mixture of water-soluble cellulose ether and at least 3 percent of said mixture of xanthan-gum selected from the group consisting of water-soluble xanthan-gum and water-soluble derivatives of xanthan-gum, said xanthan-gum being prepared by the action of Xanthomonas campestris.

2. The tobacco foil of claim 1 wherein said xanthan-gum is water-soluble deacetylated xanthan-gum.

3. The tobacco foil of claim 1 wherein said water-soluble, film-forming agent is a mixture of from 97 percent to 40 percent of a water-soluble cellulose ether and from 3 percent to 60 percent of a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble xanthan-gum and water-soluble derivatives of xanthan-gum.

4. The tobacco foil of claim 1 wherein said water-soluble, film-forming agent is a mixture of from 94 percent to 55 percent of a water-soluble cellulose ether and from 6 percent to 45 percent of a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble xanthan-gum and water-soluble derivatives of xanthan-gum.

5. The tobacco foil of claim 3 wherein said water-soluble cellulose ether is a methylcellulose with a substitution degree of about 1 to 2 and with a viscosity of about 200 to 4,000 CP, in a 2 percent aqueous solution at 20C., according to Hoeppler.

6. The tobacco foil of claim 1 comprising a content of a bivalent aldehyde.

7. The tobacco foil of claim 6 wherein said bivalent aldehyde is glyoxal. 

